Summer Safety Tips You Need to Know!

Summer is almost upon us and we're super excited! But as temperatures rise and we spend more time outdoors, we also have to take the appropriate safety measures needed. Here are our best tips on how to stay safe all summer!

MAKE IT A RITUAL
Even if the sun isn’t shining, you still need to wear sunscreen daily. That’s because up to 80% of harmful UVA and UVB rays can pass through cloud coverage. It’s UVA rays that are responsible for premature ageing signs like wrinkles and brown spots, so make sure you’re protecting exposed areas with SPF 15 and above.

KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT FACTOR
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is the measurement of how effective a sunscreen is from protecting you from UVB rays that cause sunburn. It gives you an indication of how long you can spend in the sun when wearing it. A simple formula is this: if you can normally spend 10 minutes in the sun without burning, SPF 15 will allow you to spend 15 times longer than that – 150 minutes. But remember that SPF is only slowing down damage, not preventing it! So stay sun-safe by reapplying regularly and covering-up with light-weight summer clothes.

AVOID “CUTE” FRECKLES
Did you know that freckles are actually a sign of sun damage? Freckles are formed when melanocytes, found in your skin cells, overproduce the pigment melanin. It’s melanin that naturally protects your skin from UV rays by causing it to tan and darken – like putting up a parasol for shade! Shield yourself (and your family) from future discolouration and always apply sunscreen, paying particular attention to freckle-prone areas, like your face, shoulders and hands.

MOLE SAFETY
Moles can be flat, hairy, bumpy; but in general they tend to be round in shape, and appear in fair-skinned people. Overexposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can cause a mole to form or to change in appearance. So stay out of the midday sun and wear sunscreen all-over, paying particular attention to your moles and mole-prone areas. And, if you see a mole that’s changing its characteristics, visit your doctor to get their advice.

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?
It’s said that most people only apply 25 – 50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. Don’t fall into that group. You should apply the equivalent of a small glass of sunscreen to your body 15 minutes before going outdoors. And don’t forget to reapply every few hours, especially if you’re swimming, perspiring or rubbing at your skin.

GET A NEW BOTTLE
All sunscreens will come with a “use by date” on them. You should never use sunscreen after it has expired, which will generally be after three years. If the colour or consistency changes, it’s time to throw it away and get a new one.

PROTECT YOUR LIPS
The skin on your lips is just as prone to sun damage as the skin on your face. So, protect from UVB rays with a lip balm that contains SPF, like The One BB Lip Balm with SPF 15.